News archives

April 10: Birmingham City have asked for the club's shares to be temporarily suspended "pending an announcement" later.

The move comes after the club's co-owner David Sullivan and managing director Karren Brady were arrested and questioned, before being released on bail.

April 9: Stotfold are virtually UCL champions for the first time in their history after beating Northampton Spencer 3-2 at Roker Park on Tuesday night.

Ian Allinson and Ian Donnelly's side should be crowned champions if they gain a point on Saturday against Long Buckby. The Rokermen's scorers were Lee Allinson, Tawhid Juneja and Joel Mason.

April 5: Hitchin and Banbury United shared six goals in a thriller at Top Field this afternoon. Three goals were scored in the first four minutes as Hitchin led 2-1 but by half-time Banbury led 3-2. Hitchin levelled in the 61st minute. The Barnes brothers, Paul and Mark, were on the scoresheet again. Ieuan Lewis scored the other Hitchin goal.

Bedford were also held at home, 2-2 with Yate Town. All four goals came in the first half. Mangotsfield look determined to get out of trouble- they won again, this time 2-1 at Brackley. Rugby earned a good point at Bashley.

Bromsgrove have hit a poor patch at the wrong time of the season, losing 1-0 at already relegated Cheshunt, for whom David Hicks scored the winner seven minutes from time. Merthyr ran out 5-4 winners against Corby, thanks to a 90th minute winner from Rubery. Merthyr took a second minute lead and led 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3. Corby levelled at 4-4 with a minute to go.

At the other end of the table, Halesowen received a big blow to their title hopes when they drew 4-4 at home to Swindon Supermarine. They fell behind in the 30th minute, but when in at half-time 2-1 up. With 16 minutes to go, they led 4-1, but Swindon netted three times in the last nine to gain a point. Kings Lynn and Team Bath drew 0-0 in front of 2,336 people. Hemel Hempstead were beaten at home by Chippenham Town, which damaged’s Hemel’s play off chances and improved the Bluebirds’ hopes.

April 5: Luton Town, despite losing at Northampton Town, received a reprieve from relegation when Crewe were beaten at Southend. Luton dominated at Sixfields, but their finishing let them down.

Northampton took the lead from the penalty spot and by half-time it was 2-0. Parkin netted Luton’s consolation in the 90th minute. Defeat at Brighton this Saturday will put Luton into League Two.

April 10: Manchester United and either Liverpool or Chelsea may meet in the Champions League final in Moscow in May. United secured their place in the semi-final, where they will meet Barcelona, when they beat Roma 1-0 (agg: 3-0). Liverpool, 24 hours earlier, beat Arsenal 4-2 in a memorable quarter-final at Anfield to win the tie 5-3, while Chelsea won 2-0 at home to Fenerbache (agg: 3-2). Barcelona, the only non-English side in the semi-finals, beat Shalke.

April 12: Bedford Town and Bromsgrove Rovers dropped into the bottom four after losing vital away games at Mangotsfield and Cirencester respectively.

Hitchin Town moved closer to safety with a 2-0 win against Bashley at Top Field. A goal after just 57 seconds set Hitchin on their way, a Mark Barnes close range effort after Mark Ducket’s cross was only partially cleared by a defender. The clinching goal came from Paul Barnes after 62 minutes.

Bashley are still looking good for a play-off place. Former Hitchin striker Chris Dillon was on the scoresheet as Hemel drew 1-1 at Banbury United. Hemel’s chances of a play-off are now very slim and Bashley need just three points from three games to make sure of a place in the top five.

Bromsgrove lost to already relegated Cirencester 2-1 thanks to an 89th minute winner from Michael Jackson.

Corby improved their own chances of survival, beating Tiverton 1-0 with a first half goal from Hughes. Mangotsfield are safe after beating Bedford with Alan Griffin’s 69th minute goal enough to beat the beleaguered Eagles. Former Hitchin midfielder Colm Kierans was sent off in added time. Rugby Town eased their relegation worries and boosted their goal difference with a 4-0 win against Yate Town. Merthyr Tydfil picked up a point at Swindon Supermarine.

Team Bath went top of the table, coming from 0-2 down to beat Gloucester 4-2 at Twerton Park. The Tigers had raced into a two-goal lead inside 14 minutes but by half-time it was 2-2. Two late goals gave Team Bath the victory and they now lead Kings Lynn by a point at the top. The Linnets b eat Brackley 2-1, with two goals from Joe Francis. Halesowen were without a game.